When it comes to group-labeling in society, many groups are commonly labeled as “intolerant” or “hypocritical.” However, not many groups receive these charges as often as Christians do. This stereotype has reached the point where people often view Christians as less than human because of their differing views. To some, differing views merit verbal abuses and accusations toward Christians. Christians who are outspoken can often come across as intolerant, and some are often deserving of the label. In the same manner, Christians will often say one thing while practicing another. However, many people fail to understand that a Christian is just as human as an atheist, agnostic, or anyone else.
I have found that a very common reason that people leave Christianity is the church. The church is supposed to function as a safe haven where those in need can go for help, but often Christians are the ones that prevent that function. Someone may walk in off the street who is dealing with drug addiction and end up leaving because of the condemnation Christians show toward his or her actions. Likewise, Christians often condemn others for actions which they themselves perform in lesser degrees. Instances such as these can paint Christianity as very similar to the labels of hypocritical or intolerant.
Often, if a Christian makes a single mistake, he or she is discounted as intolerant or hypocritical. Christians should be expected to act according to the standard of Christ, but not to the degree of perfection. In reality, Christians are just as messed up and evil as the people they call evil. The Bible acknowledges this in Ephesians 2:1-9: “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked…For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” This passage shows that all Christians were sinners before they came to Christ and that even after accepting Him, a Christian is still a sinner. This passage also eliminates the idea that Christians are in any way better or deserving of salvation. All people, Christian or non-Christian are fallen and in need of a savior. The only difference between a Christian or a non-Christian is that the Christian has chosen to accept the gift of salvation that Jesus offers. In the end, a Christian might act like a hypocrite because he or she is a hypocrite, but one that has been saved by Jesus.
It is easy to see the wrong actions of one Christian and label the entire system of Christianity as evil. The same can easily be done to any other belief system. In reality, a belief system is no better than the object of its faith. The ultimate standard of belief for a Christian should be Jesus. So, Christianity cannot be a completely wrong system because one Christian does not follow Jesus’ standard. Christianity is a successful belief system because of the standards of Jesus.
In the end, Christians make just as many mistakes as non-Christians. Despite the mistakes of believers, Christianity can still be a viable belief system.
